With all the attention on the legal reforms to the planning system, not much has been said lately about culture change (has “culture change” been consigned to the dustbin where all those other phrases rest – remember “joined up thinking”?).
Some innovation from The City of Edinburgh Council and Homes for Scotland: Gina Bellhouse from the Council’s planning department has been seconded to Homes for Scotland. The Council say that the secondment will provide an opportunity to develop new ways of working with the house building industry and facilitate residential development. Culture change in action.
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Championing Culture Change
There is definitely a role in the making within the Scottish Government (or other body?)to latch on to and record good practice of things going well in Local Authorities now the new planning system is bedding in. The roadshow of Delivering Planning Reform Workshops recently held over Scotland and hosted by the Scottish Government, was a good example of this (certainly the Dundee one anyway). It highlighted commonality, differences and key areas for improvement and a growing attitude towards culture change.
Hopefully there will be some feedback from the Scottish Government of these workshops and that issues highlighted at the events will be looked into further.
Culture change can happen – it requires alot of effort and buy-in, on all sides and not just in the public sector. Let’s hope someone can take a lead on this to develop good practice among Local Authorities and developers so that we’re not all moaning about the same “teething problems” in another 5 years down the line with a “wish we had done something about it at the start” attitude.
Should we have a culture change champion?……..
I agree that people can change, but it seems to me that trying to push this agenda at a time when local government morale is low, and public sector cuts are on the horizon, will be particularly difficult. Shouldn’t the first step be to reassure people that they will have a job in 2 years time and then to pursue change?
That’s a fair point about the impending staff cuts and protecting people’s jobs. However, we are where we are with the planning system in place and there will some who say that life goes on and let’s make the best of what we have.
Still difficult times ahead though.